Author Maurice Sendak dead at 83

DANBURY, Conn., May 8 (UPI) -- Beloved children's book author and artist Maurice Sendak died Tuesday in Danbury, Conn., of complications from a recent stroke, his editor said. He was 83.

Perhaps best known for his classic 1963 picture book "Where the Wild Things Are," Sendak also was a famous designer of theatrical sets who wrote and illustrated the children's books "In the Night Kitchen," "Outside Over There," "The Sign on Rosie's Door," "Higglety Pigglety Pop!" and "The Nutshell Library," a boxed set of four books -- "Alligators All Around," "Chicken Soup With Rice," "One Was Johnny" and "Pierre" -- small enough to fit in a child's hand.

The New York Times said Sendak published "Bumble-Ardy," his first new picture book in 30 years, last September. "My Brother's Book," a poem written and illustrated by Sendak and inspired by his love for his late brother, Jack, is to be published next February.

The American Library Association awarded Sendak the Caldecott Medal in 1964 for "Where the Wild Things Are."